New Berlin Common Council approves measure to consolidate dispatch services
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Annie Scholz reports Video by tmj4.com
video
NEW BERLIN- The New Berlin Common Council voted to consolidate dispatch services and send calls through the Waukesha County system. It saves the city money, but not jobs.
11 New Berlin dispatchers will lose their jobs. Many were on hand for the decision, and some were too upset to talk about it.
"It was a tough decision for the council to make," said New Berlin Police Chief Joe Rieder.
The move saves New Berlin about $9 million over the next ten years.
"I've been told not to make this a financial decision, but almost every decision we as council make in today's world is financial," said New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero.
A consultant recommended the move months ago, and after series of public information sessions, it's come down to this.
Chief Rieder insists the move will not affect the 9-1-1 response for citizens. "It will be seamless for them, for us behind the scenes we have a lot of transition to do," said Rieder.
That includes transferring some dispatcher duties to clerical staff, with a goal of completing the consolidation by the end of the year. A tough 6 months for these folks, left looking for work.
The dispatchers who are losing their jobs can apply with the county communications center, though there's no guarantee they'll get hired.
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